A recent multi-million dollar donation will make it possible for Ohio University to erect a center for academics, student activities and athletics.
Robert and Margaret Walter donated $10 million last December for the construction of a university multi-purpose center and renovations to the Convocation Center, which was built in 1968.
(The facility) will be multi-purpose
and we have been clear about that in all of our releases said Becky Watts, chief of staff to OU President Roderick McDavis, adding that the facility will not be exclusive to Ohio Athletics.
The set purposes of the center have yet to be determined and could range from athletics to Marching 110 to student activities to academics.
A committee will soon be formed - personal invitations were sent out last week to invite faculty members, staff members, administrators and individuals the university recommended - to compose the ad hoc committee.
Recommendations for the purpose of the facility will be the first step in the planning process, Watts said.
In other words you design the building for specific purposes
and until you know what purposes the building will have
you can't really bring up the design
she said. The president asked in his committee letters to them to bring their recommendations of programming forward to him spring quarter.
The Walters previously donated $5 million during the Bicentennial Campaign, which helped construct Margaret M. Walter Hall. They also committed $2 million in 2008 for the purchase and renovation of 15 Park Place, the former Sigma Chi fraternity house.
A final price tag has not been put on the facility yet. With the design of the center still uncertain, the university has not determined how much more money they need to build it.
You just have to kind of look at what potential you have for fundraising
Watts said. And then what deems appropriate for that type of facility and that scope of facility to build.
Only private donations will be used to fund the facility, and OU has yet to determine the location for the multi-purpose center.
It is obvious where there is land and where there is not occupied land on campus
Watts said. So it's not like where you have 50 choices when you look at where such a facility might be placed.
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